SCBA contempt plea: Supreme Court seeks replies from Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle over remarks on CJI Surya Kant

On Friday, 16 October, the Supreme Court served notice on journalist Nikhil Wagle and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut in a criminal contempt petition moved by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), which objects to comments the two made about Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and the judiciary. LiveLaw and The Statesman reported the development.

Per the reports, the bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi has called on both men to explain why they should not face contempt proceedings, while sparing them from having to appear in person.

What Raut and Wagle are accused of saying

LiveLaw reported that Wagle had used abusive language in a post on X aimed at the CJI, written after the Chief Justice turned down a meeting with an Opposition delegation on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Wagle subsequently took the post down and offered an unconditional apology, describing it as an outburst of emotion, according to LiveLaw.

The reports said Raut is alleged to have claimed that judges go to events of the ruling party, take dinner invitations from Chief Ministers and were spotted on a badminton court with politicians in London. The Statesman quoted Raut as saying, “You can meet them, play with them, have dinner or lunch, with Chief Ministers.” Attorney General R. Venkataramani, whose written consent the petition carries, described the remarks as scandalous on the face of it and pointed to the Delhi High Court’s finding that the badminton claims were untrue, LiveLaw reported.

• Case: Supreme Court Bar Association v. Nikhil Wagle and Anr., CONMT.PET.(Crl.) No. 2/2026
• Provision invoked: Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act
• Argued by SCBA President Pradeep Rai, with backing from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta

Remarks from the bench and the lawyers

According to LiveLaw, CJI Surya Kant observed, “People don’t understand they are being trapped,” and went on: “Courts have never lagged behind in protecting rights. If you still keep condemning, it’s very unfortunate.” In The Statesman’s account, the CJI remarked, “May better sense prevail. We can only pray.”

LiveLaw quoted Solicitor General Mehta as responding, “Many understand; they do it deliberately.” Rai told the bench that the association took no pleasure in initiating the case, but that letting such remarks pass would embolden others, LiveLaw reported.

Raut says he is ready to apologise

Speaking to the media in Mumbai earlier on Friday, Raut said he was prepared to say sorry should the court consider his comments improper. ANI quoted him as saying, “If the Supreme Court feels we made a mistake, it has the right to take note of it,” and also, “I am apologising to you 10 times, but it is your responsibility to save this country and its democracy.” According to a PTI report carried by Deccan Herald, Raut said that contempt of court was never the aim of either himself or his party.

Separately, Raut is among those who have challenged the SIR on behalf of the Opposition. The Hans India reported that this bench had, on 14 October, provisionally taken up his plea, “subject to his explaining his conduct”, and fixed 27 October for hearing the batch of petitions. No further date in the contempt case was mentioned in the reports.

Sources: LiveLaw, The Statesman, ANI, Deccan Herald (PTI), The Hans India